Dad not dominating service centre, clarifies 22-year-old MP

The country's youngest lawmaker in history P Prabakaran has denied that his father is controlling the Batu parliamentary constituency service centre.

According to the 22-year-old law student, his father is merely “coordinating” the centre due to lack of staff and funds.

“At the moment, there are only four people working in the service centre. I meet the constituents on Thursdays and Fridays. So my father coordinates the centre (in my absence),” he told Malaysiakini.

Prabakaran, who joined PKR after the May 9 general election, said he would be moving to his new service centre, which is under renovation, next month.

At present, his temporary service centre is located in the Taman Dato Senu PKR office in Sentul, Kuala Lumpur.

He was responding to the allegations by several Batu voters, who claimed that Prabakaran's father was calling the shots.

One voter, who identified himself only as Rajendran, claimed that he was not allowed to meet with the lawmaker.

“I went to the YB's office hoping to resolve an issue involving my DBKL house.

“However, I was not allowed to meet him (by his father). I asked for the YB's phone number and it was not given. I learned that others also experienced a similar situation,” he told Malaysiakini.

Prabakaran had contested in the election as an independent candidate and was endorsed by former Batu MP Tian Chua from PKR after the latter was disqualified from standing.

Due to being a college student, the MP said he lacked funds and therefore requested his father, who is a businessperson, to help coordinate the service centre.

“Most of the time, my father is at the service centre to help out with cases involving welfare matters, household issues and so forth.

“The accusation that my father dominates the service centre is completely untrue. My father always discusses things with me. I always receive calls from voters regarding issues in the constituency.

“I am also always in discussion with other MPs to help facilitate my duties,” he added. - Mkini